This is the first car that I have owned that is worth the time and effort to restore and learn how to do anything passed general maintenance. The car is a 1966 Ford Mustang, Auto, V8 289, and the ONLY modifications to the car thus far is a Detroit Locker rear end with 3:73 gears and wider mag tires. This will be my first exploration into doing any type of engine work to the car and am just looking for a place to start learning. The previous owner put $4,500 into the body work and paint (and the rear end?) and $1,500 into the interior so everything looks brand new but the engine needs to be fully rebuilt. I have found someone to help rebuild the engine for a fair price considering I gratefully got the car for only $3,000. For now my plan is to keep the 289 rather then trying something faster due to medical bills soon to come. Although I have somebody doing most of the interior engine work I would still like to understand what is going on and options I have to make the car faster, more efficient, better quality, price, ect. Not knowing much of anything I'm at a loss for where to start! I also am assuming the gas mileage is going to suck no matter what I do so I might as well make it somewhat faster. The only parts I have thus far as a option is a edelbrock 4 barrel carburetor and intake manifold that was given to me with the car. I also purchased just some little things ( water pump, hoses, plugs, wires. ) I would definitely appreciate any links, knowledge, or opinions!! Thank you in advance for your help. Here are some pictures of it.. before I cleaned it http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh106/Sirtwisted/100_1649.jpg http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh106/Sirtwisted/Stang4.jpg http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh106/Sirtwisted/Stang1.jpg http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh106/Sirtwisted/Stang3.jpg http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh106/Sirtwisted/Stang2.jpg
The car runs really rough and shakes horribly.. not all of the spark plugs are firing and wires/plugs have been replaced and the plugs are fully soaked with oil.. it has numerous oil leaks and after I had a mechanic look at it who was my xgf's dad he said that I should probably have it rebuilt from what he saw since so much work had been put into the rest of it and because it had never been done before. To be honest I am taking his word for it and although I didn't understand some of the things he said I'm guessing it would be best.. maybe not??
I would seriously consider buying a new crate engine, not one of those cheaply rebuilt engines from a part store, but a new engine from Ford Racing. You can get a new long block (new engine block with the heads already installed) for about the same cost as rebuilding the old engine.
You wouldn't have to worry about finding a good machine shop or finding out that the engine block or heads can't be rebuilt, finding someone to assemble the engine correctly, buying all of the necessary parts and gaskets. If you buy a new 5.0 you can use most of the external pieces from the old engine (exhaust manifolds, intake manifold, brackets, water pump, ect.) and have a factory fresh roller cammed engine that you will know was built right.
Finding competent people to do the rebuild can be a challenge and these people's services don't come cheap. There are few situations that can be worse than spending a bunch of money on a rebuild only to discover that it wasn't done correctly and the the engine fails.
You don't have to buy an all out performance engine from Ford Racing, they also have entry level engines available and for my money, you can't beat having a new factory fresh engine for the cost of a rebuild. This is becoming the current trend, because of the good prices and for someone who hasn't learned all of the ropes, that eliminates getting ripped off.
Hello. That is some very good advice that The Greek gave you. I think that if it was my car, I would first through a couple of bucks at a thorough tune-up, as in new points, condenser, rotor, distributor cap, plug wires and plugs, and then make sure that my timing was set correctly, at about 9 degrees BTDC. That might be all of the rebuild that you need. But, if that didn't have the car running a whole lot better, then I would look into the crate motor thing. Personally, I've been married long enough to where this wouldn't come up for me, but, if an ex boyfriend was to ask my dad for some advice about a car, dad would probably tell him to park that car somewhere that one would suppose was not possible, but, if he did go ahead and offer some advice, I couldn't guarantee how reliable it would be.
I agree with the Greek. Even with a reputable rebuilder, they can only quote you what they think it's going to take for your engine thru their experience with other rebuilds. Once they take your engine apart, who knows what they may find. A factory fresh engine is a great place to start.
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"Can you imagine making this trip at 55mph?"
"55 is unsafe."
"It's boring."
"That's why it's unsafe."
"It's fast enough to kill ya, but slow enough to think you're safe."
1995 GT
1999 ZX2
The good thing is that her dad told me that BEFORE we broke up lol but good point! Alrighty well I definately appreciate all of your help!! I honestly never even thought about that idea but it definately would be faster and a much more reliable way to do what I have been waiting for so long for.. It would be a huge dissapointment to drive a rebuilt engine with problems.. Thank you for the link!!!! One more question I had.. Also so far I "THINK" I've learned that new headers, full exhaust system, the 4 barrel carb and manifold, a new larger cam, and possibly turbo would make the car faster while still sticking to just bolt on external adjustments. I'm honestly unsure but thats what I started learning on last night.. Is there anything else that I should research?? Things that a beginner could do? Thanks again for the advice I really appreciate it!!! *** One more thing to add on... I looked that the site Greek and the cheapest motor I could find was under the Entry Level but the cost is 2,600.00 :| The guy that was going to rebuilt my engine said 1300 max.. and its my grandpas friends, friend. (which means nothing but they are telling me he's good.. who knows ). I dunno because of the surgery I don't have enough for the 2,600.00... are there any other crate engine sites that are reliable that may be more affordable for me??? As of right now I have nearly 1,900.00 to do what I can with.. which doesn't mean I cant wait some more.
Do a google search on Ford Crate engines. There are many other builders of crate engines. However, I would do a good tune up first, then have a certified mechanic do a compression and leak down test. This will give you a good indication of the condition of the rings and valves.
If you are planning on building more hp, it will cost more than 1300.00.
Since you're on a budget. I'd advise the tune up. Try to get it to run right. It's cheaper and while your driving it you can save for a new engine. As long as the engine isn't blowing a big ol' blue cloud out behind it, you still have something to work with. Check your plugs. Any oil fouled? If so could be guides in the heads. How many miles? Over 100K? If it blows blue smoke when you start it, it's guides. I ran my old 289 back and forth to college for ten years. OMG you should have seen it with the snow tires.
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65-2&2, 63 Falcon vert, 32 coupe, 76f-250 4&4,72 Ranchero GT-Some is good,more is better,and too much is just enough.
Awesome well thank you everyone for your replies!!! I'm currently weighing my situation out on whether or not to put 2000 down on a 5.0 and do this financing option with ford that I just found out about or possibly get a loan from my bank or tune up the engine I currently have and save money for the 5.0... I figured if I'm going to spend alot of money on this car I might aswell spend it on something that I want to keep.. the 289 would be replaced sometime in the future anyway so I might aswell use my money toward what I want... Thank you all for your help!!! MUCH appreciated
1966 Ford Mustang Help. 
That is some very good advice that The Greek gave you. I think that if it was my car, I would first through a couple of bucks at a thorough tune-up, as in new points, condenser, rotor, distributor cap, plug wires and plugs, and then make sure that my timing was set correctly, at about 9 degrees BTDC. That might be all of the rebuild that you need.
But, if that didn't have the car running a whole lot better, then I would look into the crate motor thing. Personally, I've been married long enough to where this wouldn't come up for me, but, if an ex boyfriend was to ask my dad for some advice about a car, dad would probably tell him to park that car somewhere that one would suppose was not possible, but, if he did go ahead and offer some advice, I couldn't guarantee how reliable it would be.
